Republicans are calling for Jeff Sessions to step aside

Top Republicans are starting to ask for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions following revelations that he perjured himself when questioned about US dealings with Russia during the general election.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) asked the former senator to recuse himself amid reports that he failed to disclose conversations he had with the Russian ambassador in regards to the United States.

Following Chaffetz’s charge was Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Portman called Sessions a “friend,” but said it would be best if he recused himself from further scrutiny.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said he should stay out of the Justice Department’s investigation to “ensure public confidence.”

“He should also clarify his statements to the Judiciary Committee with respect to his communications with the Russian ambassador,” she added.

The calls for the Attorney General’s resignation picked up steam on Wednesday night after The Washington Post reported that Session’s spoke twice last year with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

US investigators are also looking into Session’s communications as part of a larger investigation into possible links between Trump’s campaign and the Russian government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In the meantime, President Trump has continued to state that he has “total confidence” in Sessions, despite more than a dozen Republicans calling for his removal.

Republicans who have not called for Sessions’ resignation have called for more information about what he discussed with the Russian ambassador.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), told reports he would be meeting with FBI Director James Comey on Thursday about the ongoing Russia investigation. He plans to demand acknowledgement as to whether or not Session’s is the main subject of that investigation.

“Somebody is leaking this crap and it’s putting people like me in a terrible spot,” Graham told reporters. “So I’m going to meet with the FBI director today, and I’m going to look him in the eye, and he’s going to tell me there’s an investigation or there’s not, and if he doesn’t tell me he’s going to have a hard time.”

Graham has clearly stated that he doesn’t believe there is enough information at this time to criminally prosecute any members of Trump’s administration.